Yes – I am still on vacation. We decided to take some time off for our anniversary, but that doesn’t mean my brain stops working. This has been on my mind since yesterday after church, and I need to get it out of there. So, here goes: we attended a Lutheran church near where we are staying, and I was struck by the great work the pastor (who just celebrated one year there) and the congregation are doing in their community. They are a Reconciling in Christ congregation (their version of ONA) and are located in a rural, yet growing, community. The church is growing spiritually and physically, and they are reaching out and responding to the needs of the community why are in. You would think that everyone would be stoked, right? Nope – her sermon was direct and blunt to the point of scolding, and I was having a deja vu moment. In spite of all their victories, there are people fighting against this progress. On my way out, I told her to hang in there; it took me 2 years got get most of Calvary’s members on board, and some still fought for the next few years. It is the same everywhere; some people would rather look backward than dream about what might be.
I have always believed that being a pastor is often like herding cats. The same goes for getting churches to work together. Our Covenant Association is discussing getting rid of the Congregational Collaboration Committee, a group that was formed when the three Berks County UCC Associations became one to foster opportunities to work together. I never joined because I had been burned so many times in the past; others clearly stated that they didn’t want to work together. Is the idea of a United Church – individually and on a larger scale – oxymoronic? Is the dream of one church, at least in practice and in spirit, a foolish hope? You know how I tried over the years to get other UCC congregations in Reading to join with us in sharing ministry, personnel, and people; I failed every time. We were forced to go it alone, and I am so grateful for all the people who have made our ministry a thriving one.
Even around the Lord’s Table, as we celebrate Holy Communion, we can’t agree that all are welcome. I purposely say that this is Christ’s table, so all present know they are welcome, no matter where they are on their journey. And yet, I remember sitting in a Catholic Church for a first Holy Communion as I watched a person who I know does not believe in God receive the Sacrament, while I and my children sat there, excluded. Why? Because we don’t have the exact same understanding of the Eucharist. We aren’t the right kinds of believers. We are part of a denomination that Pope Benedict wouldn’t even call a church – instead, we are an ecclesiastical community, whatever that means. Jesus included Judas – He included the men and women who abandoned Him – He welcomed a convicted, guilty criminal into the Kingdom of God. Inclusion is about grace, not human definitions of what we think might be true.
“No matter where you are on life’s journey, you are welcome here.” That UCC phrase isn’t about blowing smoke – it isn’t a way to bait and switch people into church. It means what it says, and any church that doesn’t offer Christ to any person seeking Him needs to reevaluate what they think about God. We are one in the Spirit – or should be. If we can’t be a United Church, we can’t be the Church at all.
Prayer – Holy God, we all have our ideas about who You are and what it means to be faithful. Help us to grow in our own faith and walk with each other as we learn more about You. We are called to Unity in Your name. Amen.
Today’s art is “Let there be peace on Earth” by Chirila Corina.